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Jodie Whittaker reveals how she ‘told a world of lies’ to keep her new Time Lord role a secret
FROM Daleks to Cybermen, the makers of Doctor Who pride themselves on creating characters that leave viewers hiding behind the sofa.
But the 13th person to take on the role of The Doctor has insisted there’s one thing fans should not be afraid of – her gender.
Jodie Whittaker, who was unveiled last night as the first female Doctor in the programme’s history, has urged fans not to be scared of her because she is a woman.
She said fans must not be “fearful”, adding that she is a feminist who does not want to be “boxed in by what you’re told you can and can’t be”.
The Broadchurch star will take over from Peter Capaldi, who announced that he would be stepping down from Doctor Who earlier this year, prompting intense speculation about who his successor might be.
Whittaker, 35, revealed she had told “a lot of lies” in order to keep the announcement secret and had used the code name “Clooney” when discussing the role with her husband and agent.
“I’ve embroiled myself in a whole world of lies, which is going to come back at me when this is announced,” she said, adding that it was “nerveracking” to keep it a secret.
Asked how it feels to be the first female Doctor, she said: “It feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves, and not be boxed in by what you’re told you can and can’t be. It feels incredible.
“I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender. Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that’s exciting about change. The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one.”
Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, who will take over from Steven Moffat as the show’s lead writer and executive producer after Christmas, had previously worked with Whittaker on the ITV drama and suggested to her that she audition for the role of The Doctor.
Explaining how she won the part, she said: “We had a strange chat earlier this year where he tricked me into thinking we were talking about Broadchurch.
“And I started to quiz him about his new job in Wales, and asked him if I could be a baddy. And he quickly diverted the conversation to suggest I should consider auditioning to be the 13th Clooney. It was the most incredible chat because I asked every question under the sun, and I said I’d take a few weeks to decide whether I was going to audition. He got a phone call within 24 hours. He would’ve got a phone call sooner, but my husband was away and there was a time difference.”
Capaldi praised his successor, saying: “Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker’s work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm.
“She has, above all, the huge heart to play this most special part. She’s going to be a fantastic Doctor.”
Whittaker will take over from Capaldi from this year’s Christmas special, which will see David Bradley making an appearance as the first Doctor, the role taken by William Hartnell in the Sixties.
‘The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one’